Andorra Mourns Jaume Rossa Naudí, 99-Year-Old Retired Police Officer and Sculptor

Andorra's police force and Canillo parish are mourning the death of Jaume Rossa Naudí, a retired officer and sculptor who died on Wednesday at age 99.

Born in Canillo in 1927, Rossa Naudí spent time in France before returning to join the principality's police as part of its 7th intake in 1963. He served for 23 years until 1986, with his final posting in Encamp, helping to build the force during a key period of development. The Corps of Police expressed deep sadness at his passing, offering condolences to family, friends and former colleagues while praising his dedication, responsibility and respect for the institution. They highlighted the pioneering role of his generation in shaping modern policing structures.

Locals in Canillo described him as one of the parish's "wells of wisdom," a figure who preserved historical memory through community involvement. He channeled a family tradition of public service—his relatives included teachers, taxi drivers and politicians—without entering politics himself. His daughter Bibiana followed that path as a minister, Andorra's first female consul and a general councillor. In retirement, Rossa Naudí led Canillo's Association of the Elderly for many years and pursued woodworking with devotion.

He crafted four wooden statues of the Virgin of Meritxell: one in Canillo's Church of Sant Serni—a replica of an original from the Nostra Senyora de Sabart sanctuary—the others in the Sanctuary of Lluc in Mallorca, Alghero in Italy, and Ariège in France. He helped establish a twinning between Andorra and Ariège, marked this weekend by a pilgrimage from Tarascon to the Nostra Senyora de Meritxell sanctuary to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Rossa Naudí also documented his life in *Vivències d’un canillenc*, published two years ago by Editorial Anem for his grandchildren.

A wake takes place today from 4pm to 8pm at the Mereig funeral home in Canillo. The funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday at noon at the Church of Sant Serni, followed by burial.